Thursday, May 29, 2025

New Block Drive : Scrappy Chains

Hard to believe it is already time to announce the next block drive for Many Hands and Many Hearts.  These blocks will be used for Veteran quilts.  We have a number of donated patriotic panels, so we are hoping to use these as borders around them.  They are also the same size as some of the previous Veteran blocks made so I think we will see some quilts with some combinations of blocks in them. 

I will start with the directions for the blocks.
 


Below are the fabric cut sizes...


2.5" square white fabric     QTY = 6


Red or Blue fabric cuts:
2.5" squares                        QTY = 2
2.5" x 4.5" rectangle           QTY = 2
2.5" X 6.5" rectangle          QTY = 2
2.5" x 8.5" rectangle           QTY = 2
2.5" x 10.5" rectangle         QTY = 2

Using the photo above, lay your pieces out.



Sew the columns together.  I pressed toward the dark fabric.

Then sew the columns together to complete the block.



Here is a sample of a red and a blue block.  The unfinished block should measure 12.5" square.  Ideally, these are the shades of red and blue I would love to receive.  But I understand not everyone has these in their scraps/stash.  Nor do they have that many shades of a color to make a complete monochromatic or single colored block.



So here are some more sample block options.

Feel free to make blocks that are half blue and half red.  The blue in the bottom block is more of a royal blue.  You can also use some patriotic fabrics like the block in the top of the photo.  Just be sure the fabrics read blue or red so they don't seem so chaotic when we go to assemble them.


Here is the inspiration photo that caught my eye months ago.  I think it was from our local Quilts of Valor Facebook page.  I think these blocks are going to be very versatile!

This block drive will run until the end of August.  If you have any questions or need my address for shipping, send me an email at cynthiabdesigns at gmail dot com.  If you are still working on the Low Volume 9-Patches from the last drive, please get them sent off soon.  We are beginning to assemble the heart quilts that need them.

The quilts made from all these blocks will be distributed as donation quilts.  If you want to know more about Many Hands and Many Hearts, you can read more here.  


All of us at Many Hands and Many Hearts so appreciate the generosity of so many of you.  We are able to donate so many quilts each month to Children, Veterans and Adults.
Thank you so very much!


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Sunday, May 25, 2025

Oh Scrap! : It's a Flimsy

First, I need to apologize for failing to post the link up last week.  In my mind I thought I had written the post.  Once I realized I had forgotten, it was late on Sunday, and I was taking a much-needed day off.



I was scheduled to share more of my bowtie blocks, but I am prouder of the fact I sewed all my scrappy snowball blocks into a flimsy.  It was very nice to see all these scraps find a home.  I will definitely be making more scrappy snowball quilts - that's for sure.

If you want to link up the post you were planning to last week, feel free to share it today.  We don't want to miss any of your scrappy posts.


*********************************************

It is now your turn to share what you are making with scraps.  Here are the details for linking up: 

  • This linky party is for any scrappy project - It can be in-process or a finished piece.
  • You can link up your blog post (not your homepage please) or Instagram photo from the past week that features your use of scraps.
  • If you are linking to a blog post, I ask that you link back to my blog somewhere in your post. So if you are writing about scraps, just get into the habit of including a link as there will be a linky party available every week!
  • If you are using Instagram, please use the hashtag #ohscrap.
  • This is a party so remember to socialize and comment on the posts of others.
  • Following my blog is not necessary but it sure would be great if you do! 

Quilting is more fun than Housework


You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

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Friday, May 23, 2025

Sharing some Littles

I thought I would share some little quilts today...



The top on this quilt is just a panel that Nann sent to us.  I didn't even add a border.  I thought it looked great just the way it is.




Check out this cute quilt made from Happy Blocks.  I would not have thought to group the colors like that - I like it!  The label fell off, but I think Marci sent in this quilt top.




For the string quilt lovers...The strings on this one finish at 1/2".  I think it looks amazing.  Karen sent in both the top and the backing.  Not sure she planned on them going together but the back was a perfect fit.





This quilt isn't that little but I wanted to share it anyway.  This quilt is made from our Happy Block drive.  It is all about Fashion.  The alternate blocks came from fabric sent in by Jean and Wendy.  Wendy also sent in the two prints on the back.  I think this quilt will be perfect for some young girl.

That is what I have for today.  I think we will be back to seeing larger quilts next week.

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!







Tuesday, May 20, 2025

Mid Week Finishes

Boy, did I mess up on Sunday.  I took photos for Oh Scrap!  But the actually writing of the post completely left my mind.  Sorry about that.

Arthur has been very patient with me and all the hours I have been working.  So last weekend was all about him.  He loved all the attention.



This quilt is actually one of my Rainbow Scrap Challenge quilts.  I made these blocks ages ago.  I really don't need any more quilts, so I decided to finish it and donate it to Many Hands and Many Hearts.





This scrappy quilt top was sent in by Marci.  Jean sent in this Tina Givens print that looks so pretty on the back.  We love getting these scrappy quilt tops.  I know they are always a hit with the organizations we work with.




Board Member Penny made this lovely quilt top.  She also sent in the backing fabric.  This pattern is a great way to showcase a large print fabric.

I have a pretty big pile of quilts to be photographed so there should be more finishes shared later this week.  I am hoping to start seeing some of the quilts from some block drives soon!



Arthur got invited to his friend's' birthday party last weekend.  He is not much of a party hat kind of guy so he donned a bow tie I made for him.  I think he is one handsome boy!


Friday, May 16, 2025

It's Friday!

The end of the week is finally here so it is time to share some more finishes.




Let's start off with this fun scrappy log cabin quilt top sent in by Karen.  Each block starts with about a 4" novelty square.  It is super cute!

Karen also sent in the lime green backing fabric.  I love it when I see these scrappy quilts!




This quilt started out as a layercake donated by Karen.  I sent it off to Charlene to sew up into a quilt top.  The pattern is super simple.  Holly sent in this dark red and navy striped backing which worked perfect with the quilt top.




Marci sent in this "prickly" Happy Block quilt top.  Even though it is all the same block, I really like how it turned out.  Janet picked this lovely bird fabric sent in by Kristin. I don't think any of these birds live where there are cacti, but it looks fantastic and that is sometimes what counts.




Janice sent in this RWB quilt top.  We pulled some of the Veteran backing fabric Holly sent us and off it went to local quilter Laura who finished it up for us.  She even sews on the binding!




And finally, it is the scrappy big fail I made this winter.  I do think the vertical strips of blue kind of saved it.  I had enough of that blue to put it on the back and use for the binding.  I am glad I didn't give up on these blocks.

I hope all of you have a great weekend.

If you are curious, the next block drive will be announced the end of this month.  Block instructions will be posted to this blog and in the June Newsletter.  

If you are not getting our newsletter, you can sign up below.

Have a great weekend!




 

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Sunday, May 11, 2025

Oh Scrap! : Bow Tie Blocks

Even though I haven't sewn the scrappy snowball blocks into a quilt top yet, I decided to go ahead and start another project.  It didn't take me long to get inspired.



We still have a lot of fall colored scraps leftover from our autumn Two Step blocks.  I knew I wanted to make a bow tie block and the fall colors are going to work perfectly. I finished six blocks this week, but I have lots of fabric sitting on my cutting board so I am hoping to make more soon.  These blocks measure 8.5" so the big squares are cut at 4.5" and the flip corners are cut at 2.5".

Once the pieces are cut, they are a quick block to sew.

What scrappy blocks are you working on?


*********************************************

It is now your turn to share what you are making with scraps.  Here are the details for linking up: 

  • This linky party is for any scrappy project - It can be in-process or a finished piece.
  • You can link up your blog post (not your homepage please) or Instagram photo from the past week that features your use of scraps.
  • If you are linking to a blog post, I ask that you link back to my blog somewhere in your post. So if you are writing about scraps, just get into the habit of including a link as there will be a linky party available every week!
  • If you are using Instagram, please use the hashtag #ohscrap.
  • This is a party so remember to socialize and comment on the posts of others.
  • Following my blog is not necessary but it sure would be great if you do! 

Quilting is more fun than Housework



You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

 Follow Me on Bloglovin'                 Follow Me on Feedly




Friday, May 9, 2025

It's the Weekend!

It has been another busy week.  Next Wednesday is a board meeting so it is always a lot of work getting ready for those.  

But the quilts keep crossing the finish line!




We are finally close to having all of these Jewel Box quilts completed.  I think there are just four more tops that need quilting.

Jeanne sewed up these blocks into a quilt top.  I love seeing all the colors in one quilt.  Nann sent in this lovely fabric that was perfect for the back.  I don't remember how many quilts we expected from this block drive but I am pretty sure we will be exceeding expectations!





Julie sent in this quilt top and backing not too long ago.  I love Kaffe Fassett fabrics so I was excited to see it finished.  The colors are so vibrant!



Are Happy quilts only for kids?  I don't think so.  Check out this farm themed quilt top sent in by McGill.  She also sent in a barn panel that she might have wanted us to use on the back.  But we are hoping to turn that into a quilt later.  Jean sent in this fruit themed fabric that was perfect for the backing.



And finally, we have this super scrappy top made by Elizabeth.  Nann sent us this backing fabric and local quilter Laura finished up the quilt.

Have a great weekend!



 

Wednesday, May 7, 2025

For the Kids

There is always a nice mix of quilts that get completed every week for Many Hands and Many Hearts.  I love that we make quilts of all sizes.

Today, I am sharing quilts for kids.



Love, Love, Love this crayon quilt top sent in by Jenny.  I admit, I did add a border.  We received some fat quarters of the fun crayon print.  They didn't have a home and I knew they would be perfect for framing up this quilt.  The backing fabric came from Karyn and the quilting on this was done by Cindy.




This cute astronaut top was sent in by Kristin.  She also sent in this backing with the space theme.  I sent it off to Laura who quilted and finished the binding for us.





And finally, there is this tiny little quilt.  We didn't know we had it until we found it folded up in some flannel yardage.  The flannel it was wrapped in was not labeled so we don't know where it came from.  It might be a mystery, but it is an adorable little flannel quilt.  Thanks to Holly for the backing fabric and Cindy for quilting it up.

We will hopefully be sharing some of the adult quilts that were finished this week.
Just waiting to photograph them!

Enjoy your week!



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